Crutchfield Launches Online Locator Tool For Electronics Recycling Programs

Charlottesville, VA & Arlington, VA - Crutchfield, the integrated marketer of consumer electronics products, recently announced a new partnership with the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and its www.myGreenElectronics.org initiative to educate customers about the importance of recycling. Crutchfield is the retailer to offer an online tool to help consumers locate recycling facilities for all sorts of electronics in markets across the United States.

A recent Crutchfield survey showed that fewer than 30% of their customers are aware of ANY local electronics recycling options. Now, consumers who visit www.crutchfield.com/recycling can simply input their zip code to get a list of local or regional electronics recycling centers. This locator service is powered by CEA's myGreenElectronics database.

Additionally, Crutchfield will remind customers after each purchase (should they choose to dispose of their old gear) of the importance of recycling and tell them how to find the nearest recycling center.

On a local level, Crutchfield had already taken a leading role to educate consumers and lessen the impact of electronics on our landfills, launching the first year-round electronics recycling program in the Charlottesville, Virginia area. When Crutchfield started its local recycling service in August 2006, the director of the local solid waste authority estimated that Crutchfield would collect 15-20 tons per year of electronics. In the first eight months alone, Crutchfield recycled almost 85 tons of old TVs, computers, stereos and other items.

"A lot of consumers have heard about the need to recycle computers but are still unaware of the importance of properly recycling other electronics for the protection of the environment," said John Haydock, senior vice president, marketing for Crutchfield. "Even when they do know, they typically don't know where to take them. But with this new online tool and email reminders, we hope to heighten awareness on a national level and make electronics recycling an everyday event – not just a once-a-year thought."

"We are very excited that Crutchfield has become the first retailer to offer CEA's electronics recycling information on a nationwide scale," said Parker Brugge, CEA's senior director and environmental counsel. "As one of the leading retailers with such a large, loyal customer base, we can work together to get the message out that through responsible use, reuse and recycling and smarter choices, the consumer electronics industry and consumers can join forces to protect and preserve the environment."

As even better options than recycling, both CEA and Crutchfield also encourage consumers to re-use or repair old electronics. "Selling it, donating it or even just giving it to a friend are always great options, because while an item may not meet your needs anymore, it could be just perfect for someone else," added Mr. Haydock.

Computer monitors, televisions, digital cameras, MP3 players, and other electronic devices contain materials of concern such as lead and mercury, as well as valuable raw materials, including gold and copper. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), not only is electronics recycling and issue of resource conservation, it saves landfill space and prevents potentially harmful chemicals from entering the environment through improper disposal.

SOURCE: Crutchfield Corporation and Consumer Electronics Association